The 10 Best Laptop Cooling Pads
Nov 2018

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Your Guide To
Buying a Laptop Cooling Pad

By Dennis McGlothin

Short of dropping it (or dropping something on it), few things can affect your laptop’s running speed, efficiency, and lifespan, than letting it overheat on a regular basis. You know that it’s happening when you hear the computer’s fan click on (and stay on), especially when you’re running a particularly taxing program. If that happens to you on a regular basis, that should be a sign to you that it’s time to invest in a cooling pad for your computer. Even if it doesn’t, a cooling pad is a smart investment, since computers need all the help they can get to run smoothly as they get older. If you’re in the market for a cooling pad for your laptop, here are a few things to look out for.

There are two main types of cooling pads on the market, and the difference is all about the equipment involved:

Active Cooling Pads: Active cooling pads use one or more fans to keep the computer cool. When the user places the computer on the pad, the fans work in one of two ways. Some models’ fans blow the hot air from the computer away (thus cooling it), while other models go in the opposite direction, blowing cool air onto the bottom of the computer.

Passive Cooling Pads: Passive cooling pads work without the use of mechanical fans. Instead, some of them work via packs (filled with organic salt) that help move heat away from the computer when it is placed on the pad. Other passive cooling pads work on an even simpler principle, by raising the laptop up and giving room for air to flow under and around the computer, thus cooling it.

Here are some of the topics you’re likely to see covered when you research cooling pads and look into the experiences of past customers:

Cooling Power: This comes at no surprise. When people spend money on a pad to keep their computers cool, they expect results. The best pads provide them, and the results are usually very fast, with the computer cooling down and running more smoothly almost instantly.

Noise: This is an issue with active-style pads. Since they use one or more electrical fans, active cooling pads can be a bit noisy (think of the sound your computer makes when its internal fans go into overdrive). With better brands, that’s less of an issue, as their fans are designed to run as quietly as possible.

Durability: A fan isn’t any good if it stops working after a few weeks, and a cooling pad that is designed to raise the computer off the desk won’t help if one of its legs breaks off. Regardless of the type of pad you buy, durability is an essential factor, and the best ones are made from materials that will last you a long time.

Energy consumption: When people buy fan-based cooling pads that get their power from the computer itself (via a USB cable), they rightly expect that they won’t drain the computer’s battery too quickly. When they buy models that plug into a wall outlet, they expect that the fans won’t require an excessive amount of electricity to run. That’s why better-rated brands tend to be as efficient with their energy use as they are with their cooling power.

Size: When shopping for a cooling pad, be sure to look for one that will actually fit your computer. It probably seems obvious, but that’s likely why it’s so easy to overlook. A pad that’s substantially bigger than your laptop probably isn’t the worst thing that could happen (although you might have issues with fan placement and securing the computer to the pad), but you’ll definitely want to avoid buying one that is too small for the job.

Fans: If you buy an active model, be sure to check out the number of fans that the pad comes with and how they work (by blowing on to or away from the computer). More fans will generally mean more cooling power, but also a bit more noise. If your computer tends to run especially hot, however, that’s a tradeoff that you’re likely willing to make.

Computer Placement: Do you prefer to set your computer on your desk, or do you tend to take the name “laptop” literally? There are cooling pads designed for both uses, so if you have a preferred way of using your computer, look for a cooling pad that will fit that style.

Cooler Master: Cooler Master is an American company that specializes in technological cooling systems. The company produces systems for traditional desktop computers, telecommunications equipment, and a wide variety of laptops.

Targus: Targus is an American company (although it has offices worldwide) that produces a wide array of after-market accessories for computers. They produce just about everything a laptop user could need, from carrying cases to cooling systems.

Thermaltake: Thermaltake began in Taiwan, and has since spread to offices around the world. The company’s main focus is producing power supply equipment for computers, so it stands to reason that they would also have a strong interest in producing reliable devices for keeping computers cooled down.

Bosvision: Bosvision is a manufacturer that specializes in producing after-market accessories for laptops, tablets, and other smaller computing devices.

Sanoxy: Sanoxy is an American computer accessories manufacturer. Founded in 2005, the company’s original focus was on providing networking accessories, but they have since broadened their production to include a number of accessories for computer users.